When the Atlanta Falcons kick off the 2026 season, it will be under new head coach Kevin Stefanski. The former Cleveland Browns coach will be tasked with reviving the franchise, hoping to at least end an eight-season playoff skid.
During his time in Cleveland, Stefanski led the Browns to two 11-win seasons and two playoff appearances — notable considering the franchise hadn’t reached the postseason since 2002 before his arrival.
Still, Stefanski’s six-year run ended with a 45-56 record, and Atlanta fans are understandably wary of the move, especially after the Falcons’ last two head coaches lasted a combined five seasons.
Since his hiring, Stefanski has also faced criticism regarding his leadership style and ability to connect with players, with comments coming from the likes of Skip Bayless and even one of his former quarterbacks, Baker Mayfield.
“The Atlanta Falcons hiring Kevin Stefanski is a big mistake,” Bayless said. “He’s overrated. Talks a good game with owners. Doesn’t connect with players. Arrogant, condescending. Now all that Falcons’ talent will be wasted.”
Mayfield, now the quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, took his own shot by referencing how his tenure in Cleveland ended in 2022 with a trade to the Carolina Panthers.
“Still waiting on a text/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage,” Mayfield posted. “Can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach.”
Kevin Stefanski Questioned About Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel
While Bayless may have been delivering another hot take and Mayfield may still have lingering frustration, questions about Stefanski’s handling of rookie quarterbacks in 2025 have also been brought to light.
The Browns used three quarterbacks last season: veteran Joe Flacco, along with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. As many predicted, it didn’t go well, and none of the three made much of an impact — which naturally brought criticism toward Stefanski.
However, CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala saw things differently while covering the team.
“Kevin Stefanski came up with a very specific development plan for both of his rookie quarterbacks,” Kinkhabwala told 92.9 The Game’s Mike Bell and Carl Dukes. “…And he tailored them to each of them. It wasn’t just, ‘Oh, here’s a plan for the rookies.’”
Kinkhabwala explained how Stefanski went out of his way to develop both Gabriel and Sanders.
“He devoted extra individual practice time every Friday and every Monday to the rookies that weren’t playing.”
Sanders, after becoming the starter, was also given multiple one-on-one meetings each week with Stefanski, even with the head coach not calling plays, Kinkhabwala added.
Kevin Stefanski Will Be Critical To Michael Penix’s Development
While Stefanski has been ridiculed in some circles since taking the Atlanta job, Kinkhabwala’s comments offer some encouragement for Falcons fans.
Atlanta currently has a young quarterback in Michael Penix Jr. who still needs development into the franchise player the Falcons hoped they were getting when they drafted him No. 8 overall in 2024.
Penix has flashed signs of being that guy, but his first season as the starter came with inconsistency — much like the Falcons overall.
The first hurdle for both Stefanski and Penix will be whether the quarterback can return fully from his torn ACL, which could keep him sidelined until around midseason in 2026. Until then, Penix and his new head coach will have time to build chemistry — and perhaps set the foundation for the long-term plan Atlanta is counting on.
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